Segurazo on How to Protect Your Computer from Malware

By Segurazo Team3 June 2019

Malware is a broad term which encapsulates many types of malicious software. It refers to any type of malicious code aimed at harming or abusing the user, and commonly manifests as viruses, trojans, spyware, bots, ransomware, or others.

Among its harmful objectives, malware can be used for cyber vandalism, cyber espionage, hacktivism, cyber warfare and various other reasons. The majority of malware, however, holds the objective of making money illegally by stealing sensitive information.

To help protect your devices from the damages and stress caused by exposure to malware, global IT security leader Segurazo outlines the main forms of malware, how to identify them, and how to protect yourself and your devices against them.

Equip Your Device with an Antivirus Software

The first and most important step in protecting your device from malware is to install a trusted antivirus software such as those offered by Segurazo. These programs work to protect your device by constantly running in the system’s background, working to detect and filter out any potential threats. In addition to these basic security features, some programs (such as the ones offered by Segurazo) also include optimized privacy features, password protection, advanced ransomware protection, and email protection.

When running a system such as Windows 10 that has an antivirus system built-in, users must be mindful to ensure the protection system is enabled. Even if you’re using built-in antivirus software, IT security experts recommend protecting your device with an additional antivirus software for optimal security.

Download with Discretion

Often malware makes its way onto a user’s computer via questionable downloads, the visiting of affected websites, or through emails containing seemingly benign links or attachments. In an effort to protect yourself, Segurazo recommends using discretion when it comes to surfing the web, interacting with emails, and downloading files. Always refrain from downloading from sites you don’t trust or platforms you don’t know, and refrain from clicking on ads and popups.

Keep the Device Updated

Many system or software updates are security-related by nature. Keeping your computer up-to-date ultimately helps it run optimally, which in turn assists in guarding against threats. That said, one of the best ways to decrease your chances of falling victim to malware is through keeping your system and anti-virus software updated. This can be achieved through downloading regular updates and making sure your computer is protected by the latest antivirus software from a trusted vendor such as Segurazo.

Signs a Device is Affected

Malware affects computers in a variation of ways. Often, a virus will drastically slow a computer, making even simple operations lag. Other common signs include frequent and unexpected pop-up windows, on screen ads, slow startup, suspicious hard drive activity, missing files, and lack of storage space. If your device is exhibiting any of these red flags, it’s time to run a scan with your antivirus software.

In many cases, however, malware comes in the form of spyware. Instead of slowing your computer, spyware seeks to silently gather personal data and sensitive information by spying on the user because these forms of malware are undetectable without the aid of an antivirus software, it’s important to run periodic scans regardless of whether or not you suspect that your system has been affected.